EP1795355A1 - Tropfenerzeuger - Google Patents

Tropfenerzeuger Download PDF

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Publication number
EP1795355A1
EP1795355A1 EP06124612A EP06124612A EP1795355A1 EP 1795355 A1 EP1795355 A1 EP 1795355A1 EP 06124612 A EP06124612 A EP 06124612A EP 06124612 A EP06124612 A EP 06124612A EP 1795355 A1 EP1795355 A1 EP 1795355A1
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
recess
drop generator
piezoelectric transducer
peripheral portion
drop
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Withdrawn
Application number
EP06124612A
Other languages
English (en)
French (fr)
Inventor
Terrance L. Stephens
Dan Massopust
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Xerox Corp
Original Assignee
Xerox Corp
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Xerox Corp filed Critical Xerox Corp
Publication of EP1795355A1 publication Critical patent/EP1795355A1/de
Withdrawn legal-status Critical Current

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Classifications

    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B41—PRINTING; LINING MACHINES; TYPEWRITERS; STAMPS
    • B41J—TYPEWRITERS; SELECTIVE PRINTING MECHANISMS, i.e. MECHANISMS PRINTING OTHERWISE THAN FROM A FORME; CORRECTION OF TYPOGRAPHICAL ERRORS
    • B41J2/00—Typewriters or selective printing mechanisms characterised by the printing or marking process for which they are designed
    • B41J2/005—Typewriters or selective printing mechanisms characterised by the printing or marking process for which they are designed characterised by bringing liquid or particles selectively into contact with a printing material
    • B41J2/01—Ink jet
    • B41J2/015—Ink jet characterised by the jet generation process
    • B41J2/04—Ink jet characterised by the jet generation process generating single droplets or particles on demand
    • B41J2/045—Ink jet characterised by the jet generation process generating single droplets or particles on demand by pressure, e.g. electromechanical transducers
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B41—PRINTING; LINING MACHINES; TYPEWRITERS; STAMPS
    • B41J—TYPEWRITERS; SELECTIVE PRINTING MECHANISMS, i.e. MECHANISMS PRINTING OTHERWISE THAN FROM A FORME; CORRECTION OF TYPOGRAPHICAL ERRORS
    • B41J2/00—Typewriters or selective printing mechanisms characterised by the printing or marking process for which they are designed
    • B41J2/005—Typewriters or selective printing mechanisms characterised by the printing or marking process for which they are designed characterised by bringing liquid or particles selectively into contact with a printing material
    • B41J2/01—Ink jet
    • B41J2/135—Nozzles
    • B41J2/14—Structure thereof only for on-demand ink jet heads
    • B41J2/14201—Structure of print heads with piezoelectric elements
    • B41J2/14233—Structure of print heads with piezoelectric elements of film type, deformed by bending and disposed on a diaphragm
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B41—PRINTING; LINING MACHINES; TYPEWRITERS; STAMPS
    • B41J—TYPEWRITERS; SELECTIVE PRINTING MECHANISMS, i.e. MECHANISMS PRINTING OTHERWISE THAN FROM A FORME; CORRECTION OF TYPOGRAPHICAL ERRORS
    • B41J2/00—Typewriters or selective printing mechanisms characterised by the printing or marking process for which they are designed
    • B41J2/005—Typewriters or selective printing mechanisms characterised by the printing or marking process for which they are designed characterised by bringing liquid or particles selectively into contact with a printing material
    • B41J2/01—Ink jet
    • B41J2/135—Nozzles
    • B41J2/16—Production of nozzles

Definitions

  • the subject disclosure is generally directed to drop emitting apparatus including, for example, drop jetting devices.
  • Drop on demand ink jet technology for producing printed media has been employed in commercial products such as printers, plotters, and facsimile machines.
  • an ink jet image is formed by selective placement on a receiver surface of ink drops emitted by a plurality of drop generators implemented in a printhead or a printhead assembly.
  • the printhead assembly and the receiver surface are caused to move relative to each other, and drop generators are controlled to emit drops at appropriate times, for example by an appropriate controller.
  • the receiver surface can be a transfer surface or a print medium such as paper. In the case of a transfer surface, the image printed thereon is subsequently transferred to an output print medium such as paper.
  • Conventional print heads include a drop generator provided with a piezoelectric actuator which, when actuated, supplies ink to a nozzle. Problems arise in correctly aligning the actuator or transducer and, when an array of drop generators is provided, cross-talk between the drop generators.
  • a drop generator comprises:
  • FIG. 1 is a schematic block diagram of an embodiment of a drop-on-demand drop emitting apparatus.
  • FIG. 2 is a schematic block diagram of an embodiment of a drop generator that can be employed in the drop emitting apparatus of FIG. 1.
  • FIG. 3 is a schematic elevational view of an embodiment of an ink jet printhead assembly.
  • FIG. 4 is a schematic cross-sectional view of an embodiment of a drop generator.
  • FIG. 5 is a schematic view of an embodiment of a drop generator.
  • FIG. 6 is a schematic view of another embodiment of a drop generator.
  • FIG. 1 is a schematic block diagram of an embodiment of a drop-on-demand printing apparatus that includes a controller 10 and a printhead assembly 20 that can include a plurality of drop emitting drop generators.
  • the controller 10 selectively energizes the drop generators by providing a respective drive signal to each drop generator.
  • Each of the drop generators can employ a piezoelectric transducer.
  • each of the drop generators can employ a shear-mode transducer, an annular constrictive transducer, an electrostrictive transducer, an electromagnetic transducer, or a magnetorestrictive transducer.
  • the printhead assembly 20 can be formed of a stack of laminated sheets or plates, such as of stainless steel.
  • FIG. 2 is a schematic block diagram of an embodiment of a drop generator 30 that can be employed in the printhead assembly 20 of the printing apparatus shown in FIG. 1.
  • the drop generator 30 includes an inlet channel 31 that receives ink 33 from a manifold, reservoir or other ink containing structure.
  • the ink 33 flows into an ink pressure or pump chamber 35 that is bounded on one side, for example, by a flexible diaphragm 37.
  • An electromechanical transducer 39 is attached to the flexible diaphragm 37 and can overlie the pressure chamber 35, for example.
  • the electromechanical transducer 39 can be a piezoelectric transducer that includes a piezo element 41 disposed for example between electrodes 43 that receive drop firing and non-firing signals from the controller 10.
  • Actuation of the electromechanical transducer 39 causes ink to flow from the pressure chamber 35 through an outlet channel 45 to a drop forming nozzle or orifice 47, from which an ink drop 49 is emitted toward a receiver medium 48 that can be a transfer surface, for example.
  • the ink 33 can be melted or phase changed solid ink, and the electromechanical transducer 39 can be a piezoelectric transducer that is operated in a bending mode, for example.
  • FIG. 3 is a schematic elevational view of an embodiment of an ink jet printhead assembly 20 that can implement a plurality of drop generators 30 (FIG. 2) as an array of drop generators.
  • the ink jet printhead assembly includes a fluid channel layer or substructure 131, a diaphragm layer 137 attached to the fluid channel layer 131, and transducer layer 139 attached to the diaphragm layer 137.
  • the fluid channel layer 131 implements the fluid channels and chambers of the drop generators 30, while the diaphragm layer 137 implements the diaphragms 37 of the drop generators.
  • the transducer layer 139 implements the piezoelectric transducers 39 of the drop generators 30.
  • the nozzles of the drop generators 30 are disposed on an outside surface 131A of the fluid channel layer 131 that is opposite the diaphragm layer 137, for example.
  • the diaphragm layer 137 comprises a metal plate or sheet such as stainless steel that is attached or bonded to the fluid channel layer 131.
  • the fluid channel layer 131 can comprise a laminar stack of plates or sheets, such as stainless steel.
  • FIG. 4 schematically illustrates an embodiment of a drop generator that includes a pressure chamber 35 defined by chamber walls 235, a diaphragm 37 disposed on the chamber walls 235 and overlying the pressure chamber 35, and a piezoelectric transducer 39 having a bottom surface attached to the diaphragm 37.
  • the diaphragm 37 includes at least one recess, relief, groove, kerf or indentation 51 that is subjacent and underlies an associated edge or peripheral portion 239 of the piezoelectric transducer 39 such that the edge or peripheral portion 239 overhangs or overlies the recess which extends transversely from the transducer beyond the associated edge or peripheral portion.
  • the recess can generally follow a contour of the associated peripheral portion. The recess can partially overlie a portion of the pressure chamber 35.
  • the diaphragm includes at least one recess, relief, groove, kerf or indentation 51 that partially underlies a portion of the periphery or outer edge of the piezoelectric transducer such that such portion of the periphery of the piezoelectric transducer overhangs the recess and is not in contact with the diaphragm.
  • the portion of the diaphragm that is in contact with the piezoelectric transducer can be considered an attachment region and comprises an area that is less than the area of the bottom surface of the piezoelectric transducer.
  • the at least one recess, relief, groove, kerf or indentation 51 can be formed in a diaphragm, which is then attached to the chamber wall.
  • the piezoelectric transducer is then attached to the diaphragm.
  • the recess or recesses can be formed after a diaphragm is attached to the chamber wall.
  • the recess or recesses can be formed by chemical etching, laser etching, laser ablation, machining, or other suitable process.
  • Each recess 51 can be filled with a fill material 151 such as a thermoplastic, thermoset, or other elastic or viscoelastic material having a modulus that is less than the modulus of the piezoelectric transducer or diaphragm material.
  • a fill material 151 such as a thermoplastic, thermoset, or other elastic or viscoelastic material having a modulus that is less than the modulus of the piezoelectric transducer or diaphragm material.
  • an embodiment of the diaphragm 37 can include a single recess 51 that generally follows the entire periphery of the piezoelectric transducer 39 so as to form a closed loop.
  • the piezoelectric transducer 39 is attached to a subjacent island portion 37A of the diaphragm 37.
  • the island portion 37A can completely underlap the piezoelectric transducer 39 such that the entire periphery of the piezoelectric transducer 39 can extend over the single dosed loop recess.
  • the island portion 37A of the diaphragm 37 to which the piezoelectric transducer 39 is attached can be completely within a projection of the inner surface of the chamber wall (i.e., within a projection of the outer boundary of the pressure chamber).
  • another embodiment of the diaphragm 37 can include a first recess 51 and a second recess 51 that are generally opposite each other.
  • Each of the at least one recess 51 can overlie a portion of a chamber wall 235 and a portion of the pressure chamber, whereby the transverse extent of a recess 51 spans a portion of a projection of a subjacent outer boundary of the pressure chamber 35, for example, as generally illustrated in FIG. 4.
  • the piezoelectric transducer 39 can extend transversely beyond a portion of a projection of the outer boundary of the associated pressure chamber 35.
  • the disclosed structure can provide for reduced sensitivity to transducer alignment error, reduced cross-talk between drop generators and reduced firing energy requirements.

Landscapes

  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Manufacturing & Machinery (AREA)
  • Particle Formation And Scattering Control In Inkjet Printers (AREA)
  • Reciprocating Pumps (AREA)
  • Measuring Fluid Pressure (AREA)
EP06124612A 2005-11-30 2006-11-23 Tropfenerzeuger Withdrawn EP1795355A1 (de)

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US11/289,889 US20070120896A1 (en) 2005-11-30 2005-11-30 Drop generator

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP1795355A1 true EP1795355A1 (de) 2007-06-13

Family

ID=37866228

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP06124612A Withdrawn EP1795355A1 (de) 2005-11-30 2006-11-23 Tropfenerzeuger

Country Status (6)

Country Link
US (1) US20070120896A1 (de)
EP (1) EP1795355A1 (de)
JP (1) JP2007152947A (de)
KR (1) KR20070057037A (de)
BR (1) BRPI0604980A (de)
TW (1) TW200730357A (de)

Cited By (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
EP3115212B1 (de) * 2015-07-02 2020-10-28 Seiko Epson Corporation Piezoelektrische vorrichtung, flüssigkeitsausstosskopf und flüssigkeitsausstossvorrichtung

Families Citing this family (9)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US7794047B2 (en) * 2007-08-21 2010-09-14 Xerox Corporation Efficient image array micro electromechanical system (MEMS)JET
US7854497B2 (en) 2007-10-30 2010-12-21 Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P. Fluid ejection device
JP2012502824A (ja) * 2008-09-18 2012-02-02 フジフィルム ディマティックス， インコーポレイテッド 溝を設けたシリコン基板との接着
KR101024015B1 (ko) * 2008-12-04 2011-03-29 삼성전기주식회사 잉크젯 헤드 및 그 제조방법
US7857432B2 (en) * 2009-02-24 2010-12-28 Xerox Corporation Drop generator
JP6414732B2 (ja) * 2014-09-03 2018-10-31 ローム株式会社 インクジェットヘッド
WO2021050853A1 (en) * 2019-09-12 2021-03-18 Exo Imaging, Inc. Increased mut coupling efficiency and bandwidth via edge groove, virtual pivots, and free boundaries
CN110696493B (zh) * 2019-10-11 2020-12-15 大连瑞林数字印刷技术有限公司 一种喷墨打印头压电振动结构
KR102455664B1 (ko) 2020-03-05 2022-10-18 엑소 이미징, 인크. 프로그래밍 가능한 해부 및 흐름 이미징을 가지는 초음파 이미징 장치

Citations (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
JPH11309864A (ja) * 1998-02-27 1999-11-09 Seiko Epson Corp インクジェット式記録ヘッド及びインクジェット式記録装置
US20020149653A1 (en) * 2001-01-31 2002-10-17 Nec Corporation Ink jet printer head and piezoelectric actuator for the head
JP2004066652A (ja) * 2002-08-07 2004-03-04 Ricoh Co Ltd 液滴吐出ヘッド、インクカートリッジ及びインクジェット記録装置
DE20313727U1 (de) * 2003-09-04 2005-01-13 Thinxxs Gmbh Piezoaktor
EP1520701A1 (de) * 2003-09-30 2005-04-06 Fuji Photo Film Co., Ltd. Ausstosskopf und Flüssigkeitsausstossvorrichtung

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Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
JPS5715976A (en) * 1980-07-04 1982-01-27 Hitachi Ltd Jetting device for droplet
JP3318687B2 (ja) * 1993-06-08 2002-08-26 日本碍子株式会社 圧電／電歪膜型素子及びその製造方法
DE19620095B4 (de) * 1996-05-18 2006-07-06 Tamm, Wilhelm, Dipl.-Ing. (FH) Verfahren zur Herstellung von Leiterplatten
JP3772654B2 (ja) * 2000-08-22 2006-05-10 ブラザー工業株式会社 圧電式インクジェットプリンタヘッド及びその製造方法
US6967431B2 (en) * 2002-12-13 2005-11-22 Palo Alto Research Center Inc. Piezoelectric transducers and methods of manufacture

Patent Citations (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
JPH11309864A (ja) * 1998-02-27 1999-11-09 Seiko Epson Corp インクジェット式記録ヘッド及びインクジェット式記録装置
US20020149653A1 (en) * 2001-01-31 2002-10-17 Nec Corporation Ink jet printer head and piezoelectric actuator for the head
JP2004066652A (ja) * 2002-08-07 2004-03-04 Ricoh Co Ltd 液滴吐出ヘッド、インクカートリッジ及びインクジェット記録装置
DE20313727U1 (de) * 2003-09-04 2005-01-13 Thinxxs Gmbh Piezoaktor
EP1520701A1 (de) * 2003-09-30 2005-04-06 Fuji Photo Film Co., Ltd. Ausstosskopf und Flüssigkeitsausstossvorrichtung

Cited By (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
EP3115212B1 (de) * 2015-07-02 2020-10-28 Seiko Epson Corporation Piezoelektrische vorrichtung, flüssigkeitsausstosskopf und flüssigkeitsausstossvorrichtung

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
BRPI0604980A (pt) 2007-10-09
KR20070057037A (ko) 2007-06-04
US20070120896A1 (en) 2007-05-31
TW200730357A (en) 2007-08-16
JP2007152947A (ja) 2007-06-21

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